Australian stem cell company Genea Biocells plans to expand its operations to the United States with the opening of a new facility at Torrey Pines Science Park in San Diego, California.

Genea Biocells' new premises include office and laboratory space to accommodate the company's cell and culture media manufacturing, research services and R&D. According to the firm, the move represents a substantial investment in California with the new site housing over $2 million worth of equipment, including sophisticated robotics and instrumentation for screening.

The site is expected to be fully operational from September 2015 and by early 2016 will house up to 15 scientists. "This is an exciting strategic move and the next step to grow Genea Biocells into a world leading stem cell company. The new facility not only places us directly into our main market, the USA, but also in the midst of one of the largest biotechnology clusters in the world," Genea Biocells General Manager Dr. Uli Schmidt said.

"Being in California also offers a new range of funding opportunities that we will explore to support our R&D programs on neuromuscular diseases,” he added.